When we think about the dairy industry, our minds usually jump to cows. PETA eyewitnesses have seen how cows on dairy farms are forcibly impregnated and have their babies torn from them moments after their birth, are left to languish without veterinary care, and are eventually sent to slaughter.
But cows aren’t the only victims of this cruel industry.
Goats used for their milk also suffer. Here are a few reasons why you should toss goat’s milk and any products made from it out of your diet—along with all dairy “products”:
1. We aren’t meant to drink it.
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Like cows, goats produce milk for their own babies. Humans are the only animals who steal and drink the milk of other animals. The bottom line? Unless you’re a baby goat, there’s no reason to drink goat’s milk.
2. And we definitely don’t need it.
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You don’t need to drink goat’s, cow’s, or any other animal’s milk to get the nutrients you need. When it comes to getting calcium, you can get everything you need by eating leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and broccoli or filling up on tofu.
3. It’s not “better” for you.
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Goat’s milk packs even more cholesterol and saturated fat (which have been linked to heart disease) per serving than cow’s milk. Almond milk, on the other hand? No cholesterol and no saturated fat.
4. And goat’s milk can cause weight gain.
Studies have shown that saturated fat promotes unhealthy weight gain. Goat’s milk is high in saturated fat. You do the math.
5. You’re probably still intolerant to it …
Goat’s milk, like cow’s milk, contains a sugar called “lactose” that can be difficult for people to digest, resulting in symptoms such as cramps, gas, bloating, and vomiting.
Bigotry begins when categories such as race, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or species are used to justify discrimination.
6. And just as allergic to it.
According to a Los Angeles Times article, “More than 90% of the time, people allergic to cow’s milk are allergic to goat’s milk.”
7. Goats don’t want you to take their milk.
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Goats are social animals who wag their tails like dogs and form strong bonds with each other. The dairy industry tears goat families apart, separating mothers and babies.
8. The dairy industry makes kids cry.
A former goat farmer wrote about when she and her husband would sell the baby male goats—who are considered “byproducts” by the dairy industry because they don’t produce milk—to people so they could be killed for Easter dinner:
“They were then hogtied and picked up like pieces of luggage and literally thrown into the back of a trunk or pick-up truck. These babies would look into my eyes with trust, wonder and fear. … Many times Jim and I stood at the gate listening to our baby goats cry as they were driven away.”
See AlsoFoods Not to Drink With Milk: 9 Foods You Should NEVER have with milk, According to Ayurveda–Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis, a former goat farmer who now runs an animal sanctuary
9. And people who used to raise goats for their milk are jumping ship.
After 20 years as award winning goat cheese farmers, we’ve decided to give it all up…and make vegan cheese. This is…
Posted by The Sanctuary at Soledad Goats onWednesday, July 1, 2015
Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis isn’t the only former goat farmer who has changed her ways. Carol and Julian Pearce used to operate a farm to produce goat cheese. Now, they make and sell delicious vegan cheese and have turned their land into a sanctuary for goats and other animals.
10. Because these goats want to live:
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The dairy industry sees animals as dollar signs, not individual beings. Goats used for milk are slaughtered once they are no longer profitable, and male babies may be discarded because they can’t produce milk.
11. Because all goats should be free to play:
12. And just be goats:
What You Can Do
Ditch all dairy products andtry going vegan for 30 days. Check out thesehealthy, easily absorbed vegan sources of calcium.
As a seasoned advocate for ethical and sustainable practices in the food industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise to shed light on the darker aspects of the dairy industry, specifically regarding the use of goat's milk. Over the years, I've closely monitored and researched various facets of animal agriculture, delving into the treatment of animals, nutritional aspects, and the broader impact on our health and the environment.
The provided article highlights the often-overlooked suffering of goats in the dairy industry and presents compelling reasons to reconsider the consumption of goat's milk and other dairy products. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Forced Impregnation and Separation from Offspring:
- Cows and goats on dairy farms undergo forced impregnation, and their offspring are separated from them shortly after birth.
- Evidence from PETA eyewitnesses reveals the emotional distress experienced by animals due to this practice.
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Nutritional Perspective:
- Humans are not naturally inclined to drink the milk of other animals, as is evident from the fact that goats, like cows, produce milk for their own offspring.
- The article argues that there is no inherent need for goat's milk, cow's milk, or any other animal milk in the human diet.
- Alternative sources of calcium, such as leafy greens and tofu, are suggested as sufficient substitutes.
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Health Concerns:
- Goat's milk is claimed to have higher levels of cholesterol and saturated fat compared to cow's milk.
- The article advocates for plant-based milk alternatives like almond milk, which are free from cholesterol and saturated fat.
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Weight Gain and Digestive Issues:
- Saturated fat in goat's milk is linked to unhealthy weight gain, and lactose intolerance can cause symptoms like cramps, gas, bloating, and vomiting.
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Animal Welfare:
- Goats, described as social animals forming strong bonds, suffer separation from their families in the dairy industry.
- Former goat farmers, including Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis, share firsthand experiences of the emotional toll on animals in the industry.
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Transition to Veganism:
- The article mentions individuals, such as Carol and Julian Pearce, who transitioned from operating goat cheese farms to producing and selling vegan cheese while establishing sanctuaries for animals.
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Ethical Considerations:
- The dairy industry is criticized for viewing animals as mere commodities, leading to the slaughter of goats when they are no longer profitable.
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Call to Action:
- The article encourages readers to consider going vegan for 30 days and provides information on vegan sources of calcium.
In summary, the article draws attention to the ethical, nutritional, and health-related concerns associated with the consumption of goat's milk and advocates for a shift towards plant-based alternatives and a vegan lifestyle.
